Dog owners are being warned to be vigilant in the wake of a big rise in the number of pets being taken by thieves.

A study by Direct Line Pet Insurance has revealed that five dogs are reported as stolen every day.

In 2016, there was a 19 per cent increase in the number of dogs taken from 2014, with the number averaging 1,774 according to UK police forces.

Perhaps most worrying is that, in 23 per cent of reported stolen dog cases, pet owners have had their animal stolen from their garden, while 11 per cent state that they have had their dog taken while out on a walk.

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Statistics show that the most stolen breed of dog is the Staffordshire bull terrier with 634 thefts reported between 2014 and 2016.

Dog owners are being warned to be vigilant following a rise in thefts

Prit Powar, head of pet insurance at Direct Line, said: “It is unsurprising that the Staffordshire bull terrier is the dog most often reported stolen, given it is one of the most common dog breeds in the UK.”

However, in keeping with the recent surge of popularity of owning French bulldogs and pugs, the reported numbers of these breeds being stolen has increased since 2014.

The theft of French bulldogs has increased by three times the figure in 2014, while the number of pugs stolen has gone from four reported thefts to 36 (eight times more) over the past two years.

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Chihuahuas and Jack Russells account for 9 per cent and 7 per cent of dog thefts, although their figures are significantly lower than the Staffordshire bull terrier.

Direct Line Pet Insurance also have issued a warning that pedigree dog owners should be especially vigilant because these dogs often promise to fetch thousands of pounds, while also having characteristics that make them a potential target for thieves.

Prit Powar is urging dog owners to take precautions to prevent dog theft, particularly the owners of flat-faced dogs such as French bulldogs and pugs.

She said: “Whilst we understand the desire to own these breeds, those who do may want to take extra caution when out walking their dogs as their high price tag can make them a target for potential thieves.”